Northumberland County reports that 17 individuals made use of the overnight warming room during its first night of operation at County Headquarters.
The location is open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily throughout the winter season as part of the county’s ongoing cold-weather support efforts. Warden Brian Ostrander says county staff observed a smooth and orderly first night of service.
The county emphasizes that the facility is not intended to serve as an overnight sleeping shelter. Furnishings do not include beds or cots, and the facility is designed specifically as a warming environment where people can be inside, get warm, and access hot beverages.
In the event of extreme cold alerts, municipalities have the capacity to activate additional daytime warming locations, including community centres, to ensure vulnerable residents have safe access to heated spaces.
The county says these contingency plans are long-established, allowing the warming room to function as a consistent nightly resource, while additional measures can be triggered as conditions require.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
